Overall, the City of Montgomery is highly focused on attracting large companies to its' vastly diverse and well trained workforce.

These areas tend to attract more reliable, long-term tenants who are usually more financially stable and take better care of the property.

The best strategy is a well diversified one and using great copy to attract the guests you want!

I currently have three rental properties all located near the local college and the refinery in the area. 

If you have $210,000, you can easily make 10% as a bridge/hard money lender in your local area.

I'm located in the Salem area and while I've looked at properties locally, I just don't think my area has the same draw as Portland or Eugene.

The only inconvenience is I have to pay booking.com a commission at the end of the month, and I have to remit the local taxes myself vs.

Local product is cheap since no import tariff.  

(They have other properties throughout the area listed as "approximate location" and not just this one, but most are listed as "location" with development name, street name or near an attraction.) 

Giving away the place cheap only creates more work for yourself screening lower income individuals, and attracts scammers.